The Russellville Democrat., 1887-07-06
"OUT OF THE COMMON"
Or How Happiness Game From
 Disappointment.

And the sunlight danced in at the window and turned her hair to shining gold; touched the crisp gray locks of John Rogers, and made a friendly cir cle of light and warmth about the pair.
 Il could not go against mamma s wishes, you know" the young lady said gently, playing with the ring on her left hand. "She has had long talk with me this morning, and, though knew she disapproved of our engage ment, l never realized before how her heart was set against it.
 And you do not think by patient waiting-by proving how earnest we arc"
 No, John. Mother can not look on it as we do; she realizes all the disad- vantages and none of the hopes that we have built on; and then--h the young lady glanced down once at her delicate hands before she continued "would it be quite fair, John, for me to wait, and let all other opportunities glide by, and grow old and sad while waited?"
 John started. There was so much caution suggested in the words. No doubt she was but repeating them after her mother, but they fell chillingly on his ears from those young lips
 1t is true, Maud he answered, while look of pain fingered on his face. You shyll not let other chances of happiness sip by because you are bound to me. It is not the love l thought you gave me--a love which trusts and hopes in patient faithfulness. am no longer young, dear, but l have risked much on this dream of love com ing late in life, but coming for the first time. Maud, and''-his voice broke ''staying with me-always.
 He arose and turned partly away from her, quite still, leaning his arms on the mantelpieee. Maud Branson rose, too, and came toward him, her delicate, beautiful face full of concern There was nothing about John Rogers to attract notice. He was very plain man, no longer young, but he had at least some charm of mind or soul which had won the love of very beautiful woman. Her dress clung in graceful folds to her slender figure, iillet of blue bound the golden hair, which was coiled in classic simplicity about her head. He turned and looked at her, taking in all the details of the picture; then he put his head down dejectedly on his crossed arms Maud extended one hand appealingly.
 "John, you will take itp"
 "Yes, Maud he answered. drawing his breath hard. "I take it-and re- nounce itn He patted the soft surface once or twice, thoughtfully. All that came with it, and all that goes with it., Maud, goodbye.
 There was such a noble sadness in his face that it touched her Tho proud head bent lower, until it rested on John Rogers shoulder. She raised herself with eyes still wet.
 "Good-bye, John The world can't give just what we want"
 "No, dear What is itP"
 "Your ring"
 He took the pretty sapphire ring he had placed on her hand one day with only half-realized rapture and slipped 1t in his breast pocket. It was worth less now. And so John Rogers left the house and threaded his way down the busy streets. The sunlight still danced over him warm and beautiful, kissing his grave face, his hair, his hands.
 "'And let all other opportunities glide by;i'' he repeated the words to himself, ruefully. "It's not the old fashioned love; not the love l used to dream of when l was boy. Perhaps there isn't any nowadays"
 He looked very tired as he ran up the steps and rang at the door of his boarding-housc. Clarice noticed it, his landlady's daughter.
 .'You look tired, Mir. Rogers" look ing up from her work and sueaking through the olen door.